Back to SummaryKristin Moritz - Student Profile

As a result, I was raised with a great appreciation for the country, and I took German language classes in high school and visited several times before I participated in the Stanford Program in Berlin. But, despite my relative familiarity with the country, I still felt a twinge of nervousness before I left. When people at home and in California would ask me where I was going, I often got puzzled stares when I said Berlin. Berlin is definitely not your idea of a typical European vacation destination, but in my opinion, that is what makes it so much better. I arrived to find a city vibrant and full of culture. Between the museums, opera, concerts, theater, and classes, I barely made a dent in Berlin before I left.

Classes at the Stanford center are designed to help you explore the city. The resources that the center provides are truly remarkable, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of them.

One of my favorite experiences was seeing Berthold Brecht’s play “Die Mutter” in the theater that he himself formed years ago. We also saw two very different productions of “Faust,” which allowed us to compare the various interpretations of this famous German work. In addition, Dr. Wolf Junghanns taught a class that took us to a sporting event each week and gave us the opportunity to study German culture and its relationship to sports. Although I have never been much of a sports fan, I found myself on my feet and cheering at many of the games, swept up by the momentum of the other German spectators. Between these two classes, I saw parts of the city that I never would have discovered on my own. By the end of the quarter, I felt integrated and like a local. I was completely comfortable in the city, and I was eager to stay.

Although the two cities are both part of the same country and are separated by only a six hour train ride, I felt a world apart in Munich. The city gave off a more traditional European vibe, and I initially wanted to hop back on the train and high-tail it back to Berlin. Although at first I was shocked to see men and women wearing their lederhosen and dirndls (traditional German dress) like they were jeans and a t-shirt, I eventually grew to appreciate this custom and the respect that the Germans have for their heritage. I was glad that I had decided to experience a new place, because it showed me two very different aspects of German culture. Working with a German company was an invaluable opportunity, and I encourage everyone to take advantage of the Krupp Internship Program!